17 State Street, Oakleigh East, 3166 Phone (03) 9544 1553

www.amsleigh.vic.edu.au amsleigh.park.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Term 2 Issue 1 Week 2 Thursday May 1 2019

DIARY DATES

MAY

Wed 8th – Grade 3/4 Camp Info evening

Friday 10th – Grade 1/2 Scienceworks Exc

Grade 3 Melb Aquarium Exc

Tues 14th – Grade 4 Melb Aquarium Exc

NAPLAN – Grades 3 & 5

Wednesday 15th - NAPLAN Grades 3 & 5

Thursday 16th - NAPLAN Grades 3 & 5

Monday 20th – Annual General Meeting

Friday 24th – Grade 5/6 Werribee Zoo Exc

TUESDAYS ARE NUDE FOOD DAYS

WEDNESDAY IS SCHOOL BANKING

DAY

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome Back for Term 2 A warm welcome back to all for Term 2, I hope that you enjoyed a great school

holiday, and the glorious weather we had in the second week. I feel most

fortunate that I was able to spend extended time with my family, and we

enjoyed a week away on the mighty Murray River. I thoroughly recommend

Swan Hill’s Pioneer settlement for a family visit if you ever head up that way, the

light show was terrific and highlighted the importance of the Murray River as an

important transport hub in past times. The Pioneer settlement is also very

interesting, and a really good example of life in past times in this part of Victoria.

At assembly this week I reminded our students about our school TRIBES

agreements of mutual respect, appreciation, attentive listening and personal

best. Term 2 is a time to shine and our students can really get down to

consolidating and progressing their learning.

In Term 2 we can also look forward to many great extra-curricular events such

as: Education Week, Grade 3-4 and Grade 5-6 Camps, Cross Country, the

Mother’s Day Stall, Winter Sport, School Aerobics competitions and the School

Disco. Most of our classes will also be attending and participating in some great

incursions and excursions. I am greatly looking forward to a busy and

productive term!

Farewell Miss den Elzen On behalf of everyone at Amsleigh Park I would like to

say farewell and thank-you to Miss den Elzen who is

finishing up at our school on Friday 3rd May. I also offer

our congratulations to Miss den Elzen who has been

seeking a permanent teaching position and was

recently appointed to one at Marlborough Primary

school. Miss den Elzen first came to Amsleigh Park PS in

2015 on a maternity leave position, and has taught Prep,

Grade 1-2 and then Grade 4 over the past few years.

Always a very dedicated member of our staff, Miss den

Elzen has contributed to lots of school events such as

Education Week and more recently has been coordinating First Aid. We wish

her the very best of luck in her new school.

Next week we will welcome Miss Hillary Sullivan to Amsleigh Park PS who will be

taking over Grade 4B. We were most fortunate that Miss Sullivan was available

to take over this role, as she is a very experienced and well respected teacher

who I worked with at my previous school. Road Safety I want to remind everyone about the importance of road safety in and around

our school. Children should be using the school crossings on State and Dublin

Streets at all times, as they are supervised both before and after school.

Oakleigh Street is also an area where great care is required, and as this is not

supervised, we recommend that students cross with an adult.

Recently, we had a close call in Oakleigh Street. It’s certainly not helpful if

children are crossing the road unsupervised, as this can make the situation very

unpredictable for drivers. Children also have less peripheral vision than adults

and may not be able to detect cars moving along the street. We all need to

work together to keep our kids safe, so please don’t leave it to chance.

DUE BY DATES:

Friday 3rd – Prep Living Things Inc.

Monday 6th – G3/4 Aquarium Exc.

Wed 8th – G1/2 Scienceworks Exc.

Friday 10th – G3/4 Camp, payment 3

Friday 17th – Application for Year 7

placement forms

Wed 15th – G5/6 Camp, payment 2

COPIES OF ALL NEWSLETTERS, FORMS

AND NOTICES ARE AVAILABLE ON

OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE.

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

New Child Locks

During the school holidays we installed new child locks on the gates along State Street as an added safety

measure for all students. With our new garden opening up in the not too distant future, it’s important to ensure

we have as many safety measures in place as possible. When you visit Amsleigh Park PS please help us to

maintain safety by ensuring you close the gates to engage the Child Locks. Thanks in advance.

Annual Report for 2018

The Annual Report for 2018 has been posted on our school website under the Governance TAB for your interest

and information. This report will be formally presented at our Annual general meeting being held on Monday

20th May at 6.30pm. All are welcome to attend our AGM.

NAPLAN testing next week

The next round of the annual National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be

conducted in May 2019. The NAPLAN tests will involve all students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 from all states and

territories across Government, Catholic and Independent Schools. The NAPLAN tests will be conducted on

Tuesday May 14, Wednesday May 15 and Thursday May 16.

NAPLAN assesses skills in Literacy and Numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum.

NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, but rather shows how students are progressing in Numeracy and Literacy

skills against national standards for all Australia children. It also provides valuable information that allows

schools and governments to better target effort and support to help all students achieve their potential and

acquire the basic skills to help them build successful and happy lives.

All students (in Years 3 & 5) are expected to participate in these tests. Some students with very specific

circumstances may be exempted from participating in the tests. For information about participation in

NAPLAN, you can go to: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support/

The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of

their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day. Included in this newsletter

is an article from parenting educator, Michael Grose, with some helpful hints about helping students prepare

for NAPLAN tests. It’s on pp.5 of this edition of the Buzz.

An individual student NAPLAN report will be issued by the school later this year. Parents can use this information

to monitor how their child is progressing and to identify any areas of concern. Parents may also wish to use

their child’s results to discuss progress with teachers. More information is available at www.naplan.edu.au

Year Tuesday 14 May Wednesday 15 May Thursday 16 May

Year 3 Language conventions: 45 minutes

Writing: 40 minutes

Reading: 45 minutes Numeracy: 45 minutes

Year 5 Language conventions:45 minutes

Writing:40 minutes Reading: 50 minutes Numeracy: 50 minutes

Child Safe Standards We have recently completely updated a whole suite of policies related to the Child Safe Standards, and these

have now been posted on our website under the Governance TAB. The Child Safe Standards are about

reducing the incidence of child abuse by bringing it sharply into focus. All of our teaching staff and School

Council have been trained in the Child Safe Standards, and we are all acutely aware of our important

responsibility in this regard.

Our New Garden I’m very pleased to report that work started on our new garden this week, and already we can see the various

landscaping starting to take shape. Our garden is being constructed by Motion Projects, who work directly for

the builder, Modus. Stay tuned for more updates in coming weeks.

Help Needed Our Library Technician, Helen, is looking for a parent who might be able to help with covering some new books.

We currently have many new books that we would like to get out onto the shelves. Helen works on Tuesdays

and Thursdays, and if anyone can help please let us know.

Until next time,

Michael Cormick Principal

http://www.naplan.edu.au/

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

Bec’s Bulletin…

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

Helping students get ready for the NAPLAN tests

By Michael Grose- www.parentingideas.com.au

The most resilient children and young people are those who rise to meet rather than retreat from the

challenges presented to them. Perhaps it’s best to view the NAPLAN tests as good learning experiences rather

than dreaded pressure tests.

During the third week of May Australian children in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in the National Assessment

Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The stated purpose of this testing program is to gain an overall

picture of educational attainment levels to assist education policy and decision-making.

The program, first implemented in 2008, has drawn some criticism from a number of different quarters,

particularly in regard to the use of the information gained through the NAPLAN tests. You’ve probably heard

a number of different viewpoints expressed in the media over the last few weeks.

One view commonly put forward is that the NAPLAN tests put undue pressure on children to perform in test

situations. If so, then perhaps the best approach for parents and teachers is to help them handle the pressure

rather than avoid it. The most resilient children and young people are those who rise to meet rather than

retreat from the challenges presented to them. Perhaps it’s best to view the NAPLAN tests as good learning

experiences rather than dreaded pressure tests.

Children and young people take their cues from their parents about how to handle many situations. American

psychologist Martin Seligman discovered more than a decade ago, through his research into children’s

thinking styles, how closely a child’s explanatory style mimics that of the parent they spend most time around.

Optimistic parents beget optimistic kids, just as anxious parents can beget anxious kids. The impact of a

parent’s explanatory style seems to be magnified somehow in small families where there are fewer voices to

be heard.

As a parent it helps your child, if you take a positive view of the NAPLAN tests. It’s better to see them as learning

opportunities for kids as well as opportunities to overcome any anxieties or nerves that these tests may bring

on. It’s also worth remembering that many children don’t stress over these tests. The vast majority take them

in their stride, wondering what all the fuss is about.

Whether your child stresses or takes them in his stride here are some tips to help prepare for the NAPLAN tests:

1 Take your cues from your child: If your child doesn’t worry about them then neither should you. Be careful

not to create a problem that doesn’t exist by incessantly talking about, or worse, worrying about the test.

2 Focus on doing their best and trying hard: Choose your words carefully when you speak with your kids. As

with all their learning activities place your focus squarely on effort rather than results. The only pressure on kids

should be to try hard rather than to do well.

3 Listen to any concerns they have: If your child confesses to some nerves then validate their feelings, rather

than shut them down with a ‘get over it’ response. “Yes, sometimes tests can be a little scary, but they get

easier every time you take them.” Use this as an opportunity to develop some emotional smarts, which starts

with recognising how kids feel.

4 Give them some relaxation ideas: Anxious or nervous kids will benefit from some simple relaxation strategies.

Taking some deep breaths, changing their thinking and exercising the morning of the test are some simple

ways to help kids get some feeling of control.

5 Help them retain their perspective: One way to help children who become excessively anxious about an

event is to ask what’s the worst thing that could happen? Okay, they may not do as well as they would like

but the sun will still rise tomorrow, regardless of how well they do. Keeping perspective is a life skill that we all

need to practise.

A positive, caring parent attitude is one of the best gifts you can give a child when they are apprehensive or

nervous about approaching any different situation whether it’s going on school camp, joining a new club or

sitting a NAPLAN test.

http://www.parentingideas.com.au/

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

APPS UNIFORM SHOP Located in the Thelma Bailey Learning & Sports Centre

OPENING HOURS FOR TERM 1 2019

MONDAY AFTERNOONS - 3:00PM – 3:45PM WEDNESDAY MORNINGS – 8:45AM – 9:30AM

(Copy of the approved uniform list is available at the Uniform Shop, the General Office and on our website www.amsleigh.vic.edu.au)

For any other queries, or to source second hand items,

please visit the Uniform Shop during the above opening hours.

A huge thank you to the families who donate second hand uniforms back to the school.

We really appreciate the supply of good quality items to offer for sale

at reduced prices.

Joanne & Kath

SUMMER ITEMS

ITEM SIZES PRICE

Summer Dress 4 – 16 $23.00 each

Cotton/Lycra Bike Shorts 4 – 16 $12.00 pair

Boy Leg Briefs 4-6, 8-10, 12-14 $ 8.00 pair

Short Sleeve Panelled Polo 4-16 $26.00 each

Surf T-Shirt 4 – 16 $15.00 each

Shorts – Cotton Rugby (unisex) 4 – 16 $15.00 pair

Shorts – Gabardine Zip Pocket 4 – 16 $17.00 pair

Slouch Hat Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large $10.00 each

NEW OPENING HOURS

http://www.amsleigh.vic.edu.au/

THE AMSLEIGH BUZZ

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